Friend Ashley Butler Drake

Rank:

Private

Regimental number:

7718

Unit at enlistment:

7th Canadian Mounted Rifles

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Yes

Cemetery:

Paris Cemetery, Paris, Ontario

Commemorated at:

Penmans Ltd. Honour Roll

Birth country:

England

Birth county:

West Yorkshire

Birth city:

Gomersal

Address at enlistment:

Paris, Ontario

Next of kin address:

Paris, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Groom

Employer:

Penmans No. 9 Mill

Religious denominations:

Church of England

Marital status:

Married

Age at enlistment:

Image gallery:

Letters and documents

Miscellaneous

BX August 24, 1927

Fred Drake, Paris Veteran, Passes After Long Illness

PARIS, Aug. 24 – Friends and relatives of Friend (Fred) Drake were deeply grieved to learn of his death on Tuesday night at 10 p.m., after a prolonged illness. Deceased, who was in his 55th year; had been in poor health for almost a year. In October, 1926, he was a patient at Christie Street Hospital, Toronto, remaining for a period of five months. Later in April, 1927, he underwent an operation at the Willett hospital, Paris. He passed away at his home Tuesday evening after a great deal of pain and suffering. He leaves a sorrowing wife, and a sister-in-law in Paris, a nephew, James Thomson of Hamilton, and two sisters in England. His only brother, Louis Drake was killed in the Great War.

The deceased served in the artillery in the South African war and was among those who went from Canada to the Great War. He was a past master of the Loyal Orange Lodge, a former president of the Sons of England and the first president of the Paris branch of the Great War Veterans Association, now the Canadian Legion. He was also an enthusiastic cricketer when he enjoyed good health. There will be a military funeral under the auspices of the Canadian Legion.

BX August 29, 1927

Military Funeral Accorded to a Veteran in Paris

PARIS, Aug. 29 – The funeral of the late Fred Drake took place on Saturday afternoon from his late residence to St. Paul’s United church and thence to the Paris cemetery. The funeral was of a military nature. The large procession was led by the firing party followed by the 10th Brant Dragoons band of Paris, the gun carriage, the Canadian Legion, the Sons of England, the Loyal Orange lodge and a large number of mourners. The Rev. J.A. Wilson, B.A., pastor of St. Paul’s United church officiated at the church and also at the graveside, Rev. Seton Adamson rector of St. James Anglican church assisted the Rev. Wilson at the church and again at the cemetery. The deceased who was in his 56th year was born in England and died at his home in Paris after almost a year’s illness. He was a member of the artillery in England and served in both the South African War and also in the Great War. He was a past master of the Loyal Orange lodge and a former president of the “Sons of England.” When the G.W.V.A. was formed in Pairs Mr. Drake had the honor of being the first president. Besides his sorrowing widow he leaves a sister-in-law and a nephew to mourn his loss. The honorary pallbearers were: A.D. Fraser, A.E. Cullum, J. Black, H. Moore, W. McBride, F. Wilter, F. Bradley, C. Bennett; pallbearers: D. Taylor, Micks, Hamilton, Smith, Stanley, Hunt. The firing party furnished by the 10th Brant Dragoons was in charge of Sergeant Garner. The gun carriage was loaned by the 54th Battery Field Artillery, Brantford. MESSRS. Charles Durham and E. Woods furnished two teams of black horses.